When choosing a bomber, aesthetics play a certain role even though it's the contents that are what's truly important... When I came across River North's selection, the bottles left much to the imagination, but when labeled "Oak-Aged Imperial Wit Ale," it's not something I'm quick to pass up... It pours light, with a hazy goldenrod color, with a 2 inch rocky head that dissipates somewhat quickly, leaving minimal lacing but a nice retentive little cap... A wheaty malt aroma shows up overlaying a little funk, and a touch of orange zest sweetness here and there, but it does seem a little bit aromatically challenged... Upon tasting, it's moderately light on the palate, similar to what one would expect out of saison, just with less carbonation... The oaky taste takes over midway through, bringing with it a spicy floral bouquet with cinnamon a prominent, but extremely pleasant note... A clean, crisp finish, with lingering spice notes and just a hint of bitterness to balance it out, every sip is a refreshing one... This brew has many fine components all harmonizing nicely to play a solid role, completing this well crafted ale as a whole... The sweetness is well balanced by the oak, and no one element overpowers another in its' quest for perfect unison... Definitely not what I expected, but I'm very pleased with the ale quickly diminishing from my glass!! Another good brew - Cheers!!

APPEARANCE: A finger and a half of stark white foam sits gently on top of a crystal clear, pale, bright, yellow beer. A few champagne bubbles slowly work their way from the bottom of the glass to the bottom of the foam as the head slowly recedes. This is a very good looking beer.

SMELL: Quite a unique, complex smell here; grass, some fruit aromas (lemon is big), plenty of spice and just a very faint hint of barnyard funk lurking beneath it all.

TASTE: Like the nose, there is a LOT going on in here. A ton of sweet fruit flavors attack the palate right off the bat, but a strong black pepper spiciness tames that sweetness a touch. A little oak and vanilla flirt with the palate as well before a slight grassy and citrusy hop flavor washes the sip down.

MOUTHFEEL: Light to medium bodies, the carbonation in Unified Theory is very lively with an excellent, champagne-like sparkle. While it is sweet to start, the finish dries out quite nicely, paving the way for the next sip.

OVERALL: This is a far more interesting beer than any other Wit I’ve had. Big enough to hold up during these winter months, but will be a nice summer sipper as well.

Aroma is my favorite feature-- passion fruit, hints of honey, and tangerine. Instead of the typical cloudy pale yellow, this is clear yellow gold. The first sip is shocking, it's just so sweet as to make me woozy. Even Pink Champale is dry compared to this.

I can see why TheBrewo noted every fruit flavor known to man in his review. Maybe there really is a hint of parsnips here. And is that lemon verbena? It is truly swarming with strange and mainly fruity flavors. And the wood. I guess this is faintly like a Witbier, but mostly it's a mad scientist's version of a Belgian strong golden ale. A little bit of pencil shavings is the only spice I taste.

This is not something to drink more than a short glass of, but it's quite fascinating. I was hoping for less sugar and a cleaner taste, but I keep sipping and being amazed by the sheer craziness. From the 12 oz bottle purchased at Wilbur's Total Beverage in Fort Collins.